In a jam-- can you help with a Mother's Day Gift

last year

My gift for my mother isn't going to arrive in time.. so I am hobbling together a couple of ideas from my "gift closet", local stores that deliver and my own cupboards.

Right now, I have two options.. or i could do both but they don't really relate all that well.

Option 1. Fresh flowers, Strawberry Champagne Jam.. Peach Prosecco Preserve and a delightful Blood Orange Confiture. Mom loves jams and preserves and i have all of the above..

I was going to make either sugared scones or raspberry scones to go with-- or purchase croissants. Thoughts?

(She has a case++ of her favorite champagne so I wouldn't add a bottle to this.)

Option 2. Fresh flowers, a large bottle of premade 1800 Margarita (the only premade margarita I like), A lily pulitizer thermal glass (i only have 1.. but i also have a matching 20 0z tumbler), and palm cocktail umbrellas. Anything i can easily add to make this more of a gift?

Mom likes to sit by the pool with margaritas.. she won't swim, but she'll sip ;)

Anything else that i can quickly and easily pull together? The gift that didn't arrive is a lily pulitzer top-- I will likely save it and give it to her before she takes a trip in June.

Maybe Option: There is a greek restaurant with a lovely outdoor courtyard that I know she'd love-- They don't do gift certs but I could make one for her with photos of the outside courtyard. That just feels lame though-- I'd gladly treat her there regardless of Mother's Day. And it isn't really something to open though i could tuck a card into her flowers.

I feel like a rotten daughter lol.. I should have planned better. :(

Featured Answer

maire_cate

last year

last modified: last year

Now I'm wondering about the chocolates......I've given them as gifts 3 or 4 times and the receiver always comments on how pretty the tins are. But no one has ever mentioned after the fact what they thought of the chocolates themselves. Of course who would complain about a gift.

Therefore I will have to make the supreme sacrifice and order one for myself. You may all thank me later. Or perhaps we should each order a box and make comparisons.......

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Comments (41)

mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Option 1. Fresh flowers, Strawberry Champagne Jam.. Peach Prosecco Preserve and a delightful Blood Orange Confiture. Mom loves jams and preserves and i have all of the above..

I was going to make either sugared scones or raspberry scones to go with-- or purchase croissants.

This one, with homemade scones. Do you have nice basket, some manila grass and some cellophane and a nice ribbon?
Funkyart thanked mtnrdredux_gw
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Yup.. I have both a basket and a number of pretty caspari bags. Maybe use both? (No cellophane)

Are raspberry scones overkill with the jam/preserves/marmalade? Should I just do plain with turbinado sugar on top? Wish i had some edible flowers.

Thank you! This was the direction I was leaning so i appreciate the thumbs up!
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texanjana
last year
#1 with scones and you are certainly not a rotten daughter. I think your mom will love this. It‘s a wonderful gift!
Funkyart thanked texanjana
Fun2BHere
last year
I agree with choice #1. Either bread choice works.
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olychick
last year
Yes to plain scones or something that won't compete with the delicate flavors of the preserves. It sounds like a wonderful, thoughtful gift from and appreciative daughter. I like it even more than "I just bought this for you." Though she will surely love the LP top, too.
Funkyart thanked olychick
Sueb20
last year
#1 and I hope my kids grow up to be as thoughtful as you are, Funky!
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
plain with turbinado sugar on top
Funkyart thanked mtnrdredux_gw
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
Just in case one more vote for No. 1 was needed.

You are such a thoughtful git-giver.
Funkyart thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
I appreciate your sweet thoughts about my gift giving-- but I wouldn't have been in this jam had I shopped LESS for MYSELF this week and more for my mom. :(

Thanks for the feedback.. I've wrapped the jars in tissue paper and put them in a beautiful bag. Just waiting for the cream and flowers to arrive... but I think I will make the scones in the early am.

Also forgot I had these chocolates -- purchased for Christmas but didn't arrive until Feb. Doesn't really fit the jams and scones theme.. but my mother would eat chocolates for breakfast, lunch and midnight snack if she could!
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
That is a gorgeous box. Maybe I need to get some Louis Sherry chocolates ...
teeda
last year
I agree, that gorgeous box is a gift in itself!
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Mtn found them at christmas-- it's a small box ~ 4x6ish but so pretty with the John Derian design! I think she got hers at NM.. I got mine from Bloomingdales. There are many beautiful designs!
blfenton
last year
Your mom is a lucky mom.

To put this into perspective for you, I've seen the ads for Mother's Day but didn't realize it was tomorrow. I've done nothing.
Funkyart thanked blfenton
eld6161
last year
last modified: last year
All I can say is if this is your idea of hobbled, I’d love to know about the gift you originally planned.
Funkyart thanked eld6161
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
Look what I found!

I have always wanted something in this pattern :-)
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
My sisters laugh about my gift closet-- but that is what saved me! I pick up things I know someone will like.. or things I ended up not giving. Most in the $10-$50 range... a few higher. Since I don't drive anymore, it's a big help when i need a last minute hostess or "pick-me-up" gift, etc... or when a niece brings a bf to christmas without any warning! I have candles, yeti cups, water bottles, books, lavender scented stress balls .. and a few accessories and bags from Coach and Barbour. A real mixed bag ... oh, and a variety of gift bags and cards too.

I could open a gift shop soon!
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Oh, that's beautiful, Zalco! Ive seen them in the red Chiang Mai tin but never the Jade! So pretty!
nekotish
last year
Another vote for #1. Scones would be great, good croissants would be a lovely decadent touch. I too have a "gift closet" and although my daughters think it's funny, they have raided it several times!
Funkyart thanked nekotish
nini804
last year
You are a lovely daughter!! Both ideas sound thoughtful…I personally like #2 (always the outlier!) but that’s just me…I don’t eat jams and such and the margaritas/lilly tumblers sound so festive! Your mama will be pleased either way…I never care exactly what my kids get me, I am just so happy they thought to do it! (of course mine are 19 and 22…maybe I will care more when they are older!)😂
Funkyart thanked nini804
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Thank you all! I appreciate the support and help selecting a gift. I feel so much better!
maire_cate
last year
last modified: last year
I think either gift would be wonderful. I know how much thought you put into your selection but you always find just the right gift - and then to top it off you also create a lovely presentation.

It's 8 am on Mother's Day and now I'm frantically trying to come up with two gifts that I need by noon today. At 9 pm last night my son invited us to his future in-laws home for brunch today. We're at our place in upstate PA so I can't resort to anything I might have at home which leaves Shop Rite and the local florist. To make it even more exciting we have to leave here by 11:00 to drive an hour.

The local bakery opened at 7 so i ordered a a coffee cake and scones. The florist opens at 9 and I'm hoping they'll have something flowering in a nice ceramic pot that I can take and if not that leaves Shop Rite. DH thinks it would be more personal if I picked daffodils from our front yard. Fortunately our landscaper planted 500 bulbs a few months ago and there are enough in bloom.

But for some reason it almost feels like cheating to walk outside and pick flowers. I don't know why I think putting more effort into a gift makes it better.

Funky - I also ordered a few of the Louis Sherry tins from Bloomingdales as Christmas gifts and mine arrived in February too. If I recall they were on sale so I added a few extra to have. But alas - they're at home. They would have been perfect for today.
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Oh Maire sorry you are scrambling today! But I agree-- flowers from your own garden are more personal than anything from the florist. I got my flowers from Wegmans (hydrangea) -- maybe there is one near you or on the way? They have a surprising variety and they've always been nice for me...I get them pretty regularly for my house.

And YES, I believe the Louis Sherry boxes were on sale! I only got the one because so many of us don't like chocolate... but mom does and she will LOVE the box.

I hope you can relax soon and enjoy the day! Happy Mother's Day to you and all the wonderful women here on GW 💗
maire_cate
last year
Thanks Funky - hydrangeas would be a really nice option and if I'm lucky the florist night have some. I did check to see if we'd be passing a Wegman's on our way but it would be a little out of the way. I'd feel more comfortable knowing that i have something we we leave this morning. I'll find out in about 20 minutes and if not then it's daffodils.

Enjoy the day with your Mother. I was at a luncheon earlier this week and as we were leaving one of the other ladies wished us all a Happy Mother's Day and added that all of us have a nurturing instinct , motherhood not required, but each of us loves and cares for something in a way that only a woman can - it might be a friend, neighbor plant or garden. It was a lovely thought.
Funkyart thanked maire_cate
l pinkmountain
last year
What Eid said. Any one of them would delight any normal Mom. I'd go with whichever one was easiest and save the other two for future event gift giving to her.
Funkyart thanked l pinkmountain
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Oh all the best laid plans lol.. niece who was going to take me in the morning is finally up and on the way. Hydrangeas were sold out but i got a beautiful bundle of purple pink tulips-- perfect color for mom AND they match the gift bag! Since it wont be breakfast time anymore, I also had a raspberry lemon mousse cake delivered.. it doesn't look homemade but I have had it before it is light and fresh and delicious. Heading out now.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
That cake looks amazing! I am all about berries and lemon.

I hope you and your family had a great time celebrating.
Funkyart thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
l pinkmountain
last year
I don't know about your family, but there is no way mine is ever going to enjoy a lemon mousse cake if it isn't from a bakery. I sure wish I had a fab enough bakery nearby to deliver such treats . . . and an occasion to share one!!
Funkyart thanked l pinkmountain
Allison0704
last year
Late to the party, but great gift ideas. The cake looks delicous.

I ordered myself two of the Gracie boxes when they came out.
Funkyart thanked Allison0704
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Thanks, all-- mom loved everything and she cried when I arrived LOL (I haven't been going out or gathering because i am in an in between phase of my dental work). I masked and went-- only planned to stay for 20 min or so but i stayed a few hours.

The cake isn't from a fancy bakery-- it's from Wegmans and better than what the popular bakery in town produces. Everyone loved it.

Allison, the Gracie Studios box is so lovely. I need to track one down!
l pinkmountain
last year
Ironically, Wegman's is "fancy bakery" by my town's standards. I used to live just up the road from one, it was my weekly or more grocery store. I sure miss it!! Nothing close for 50 miles . . . particularly a cake bakery. A stale factory version is the best to be found locally. I used to live near a fabulous family run bakery in Willow Grove PA. Their cakes had that special je ne sais quoi. They did our wedding cake . . . Whenever I get or make a cake, it tends to languish with just hubs and I eating it, we have to drastically limit our sweets. On the flip side, my Dad's kitchen is filled up with so many sweets he can't possibly eat them all before they mold . . . my late mother was diabetic so I had to always try and find a treat for her that wouldn't tempt her too much . . . I usually went in for the smaller treats . . . Oh man, that reminds me that the bakery I described above also sold little home made petit four cakes that were also fab . . .
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Allison0704
last year
@Funkyart I ordered from their website.
Funkyart thanked Allison0704
Sueb20
last year

Oooh, I like this one! Are the boxes paper or metal or….? Since my kids were LAME about MD, maybe I’ll buy myself a gift!
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
The boxes are tin.. I didn't taste the chocolate (i don't like chocolate-- but my mother didn't offer either LOL) but they are beautiful also.
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Come to think of it, I haven't tasted them either ... always gave them as gifts for the boxes!
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Ha.. same with Vosges chocolates. I give them often but never tried one.

Here's a photo of the Louis Sherry chocolates

ETA a better photo
l pinkmountain
last year
Those remind me of back in the day when Godiva was the creme de la creme and had such adorable shapes . . . sigh.
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
LOL maire. Yes, you must-- and report back!

My mom had a chocolate while i was there but didn't comment on it-- even when I asked. There was a lot going on-- gifts, 3 daughters and a granddaughter and she was texting with my aunt. Honestly i think she was just in a happy cloud with all the attention. She didn't even offer a chocolate to my sisters! LOL. I think she would have told me and/or scrunched up her face if she didn't like them. Mom doesn't hold back much these days ;)
Allison0704
last year
last modified: last year
Don't worry, the chocolates are delicious. ETA: Smooth and just the right amount of flavor.
maire_cate
last year
Thanks Allison - I guess you saved me from sampling 12 pieces of chocolate.....
Funkyart
Original Author
last year
Follow Up: I have been getting daily texts as my mom tries items in her gift ... so far the Strawberry Champagne Jam is the big food winner-- the Louis Sherry John Derian tin was the overall winner (but not the chocolate lol).

Blood Orange Confiture - "was delicious on a croissant".. (this was the only one I had tasted myself and i knew it was delicious)

Louis Sherry Chocolates - "i have to keep trying them for the surprise flavors" -- when i pushed a little more on whether they are worthy to give again/to others, she said she LOVES the tin but that she couldn't really speak to the quality as her "unsophisticated palate" (her words) prefers Reese's PB cups and Matangos (a local chocolatier .. but very good). I told you she'd be honest!

Stonewall Kitchen Strawberry Champagne Jam 🥉- "intoxicating!" "I could eat it with a spoon"

To be clear, my mom isn't exactly picky but she has her favorites and sticks to them. She's somewhat open to new things but not at all adventurous. I take this as a win!